Bafokeng mooted for cup qualifier

WITH less than a month to go, the South African Football Association has still not confirmed the venue for SA's opening World Cup qualifier, but it is understood to be the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.

Bafana Bafana will take on Ethiopia on June 3, one day later than originally planned, in their opening Group A match.

They then face Botswana six days later in Gaborone in their second qualifier for Brazil 2014.

The four other group matches are being contested next year, and the group winner goes on to a final round play-off late next year.

Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane will name his squad on May 17 and they will gather three days later, the day after the completion of the league season.

This will give him two weeks to prepare the side for must-win games that have a direct bearing on his own future in charge of the side.

But for the first week, the coach will have to do without players from the Nedbank Cup finalists. That game is at the Orlando Stadium on May 26, with AmaZulu, Free State Stars, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United still in the running.

The semifinals are being played this weekend. Bafana will train at the Royal Marang Hotel in Phokeng.